It is built with Skype and selfies in mind, says Microsoft of its incoming Nokia Lumia 730 which was unveiled Thursday at IFA 2014 in Berlin.
The Nokia Lumia 730 Dual Sim, launching with a price of roughly $285, bears a 5MP chat camera on its front and will include three months of free Skpye service.
"The front-facing, wide-angle, 5-megapixel camera is great for Skype video calls, letting people share more of the world around them or bring more family and friends into a call," says Microsoft. "With an offer for a free, three-month Skype Unlimited World1 subscription, it's easier than ever to have an international voice call with friends and family on their mobile and landline phones, right from the Lumia 730 or Lumia 735."
As consumers care more about documented life on both sides of the camera, the Lumia 730 isn't the only handset unveiled at IFA 2014 that focuses selfies and leaves behind the days 1MP cameras on smartphone faces.
For storing those high-resolution selfies, the Lumia 730's 8GB of internal memory is backed by a complimentary 15GB of storage space through Microsoft's OneDrive service.
Along with the introduction of the Lumia 730 and the 830, dubbed the "affordable flagship," Microsoft revealed two new accessories for the entire Lumia line.
Microsoft introduced the second generation of the Wireless Charging Plate DT-903, which glows to indicate when it's time to charge a handset or to alert users of a new notification.
Microsoft Screen-Sharing for Lumia Phones HD-10, a long name for a compact device, works like Google ChromeCast for Lumia phones. The screen-sharing device can connect to an HDMI port on a TV or monitor and wirelessly cast content from Nokia phones onto the big screen.
The software giant's handsets division revealed at IFA 2014 that it isn't neglecting its existing Nokia Lumia devices, offering camera enhancements to current devices in its Lumia Denim update. The support of new and old devices with new hardware and software services is part of Microsoft's game plan to connect work and personal experience, according to Chris Weber, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Mobile Devices Sales.
"Our strategy is to help people do more with stunning products that unite and showcase the best of Microsoft's digital work and life experiences," says Weber. "The Lumia 830, Lumia 735 and Lumia 730 Dual SIM combine popular Microsoft services such as Skype, Microsoft Office and OneDrive with amazing Lumia innovations in design and imaging to bring experiences that people value, at prices they can afford."
